And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. 1 Samuel 4:5
The Ark of the Covenant was symbolic of the LORD’S presence with the people. It contained the Ten Commandments and Aaron’s rod that budded among other things. The Ark had been captured by the Philistines. In our text, the Ark is being returned to the camp of the Israelites.
Upon seeing the Ark returned, the Scriptures note the Israelites shouted so loudly that the earth shook.
Do you think this was literally possible? Oh yes! I am reminded of football games in the past, when the stadiums have erupted with such volume and intensity so as to produce seismic activity registering on the Richter scale.
Today, we don’t have the Ark of the Covenant but we serve the same GOD. We have the assurance of His presence in our lives if we are faithful followers.
We have His word. An old preacher once said that each time he opened the Scriptures he did so as though they just fell from the hands of GOD.
My question is simply this. Does the presence of the LORD in my life and His word that I hold in my hand produce the level of joy that would register on the Richter scale?